STANSTED Airport duty free campaigners are urging holiday-makers and passengers to continue waging war against the abolition of duty free shopping.

The airport recently announced record profits of £4.1m, with its retail revenue rocketing to £25.8m, due to an increase in passengers, retail outlets, and various initiatives.

However, £14m would be lost if the abolition of tax and duty free goods goes ahead in June 1999. The airport could also face job cuts of 200.

Liz Tooke, BAA Stansted Airports duty free campaign manager, said: We are still urging passengers to fill in leaflets which are available in the duty and tax free shops at Stansted. They can also write to their MP or MEP.

Leading economists predict that 127,000 job cuts across Europe will cost the taxpayer £6.3m over the next five years.

Bishops Stortford councillor Mike Wood said: Duty free is a very much loved perk for travellers and over the years the airports and airlines have built up lucrative duty free busineses.

I know there are reasons for doing it in order to equalise duties and taxes between countries, but on the other hand, how many job cuts will it cost those countries?

Chancellor Gordon Brown has refused to support demands to rethink the June 1999 abolition.

Also angry at the plans is SNAP Theatre Companys press and publicity officer, Sophie Martin, who works in the Causeway, Bishops Stortford.

She said: I think it will be a great shame if duty frees are abolished because Im a bit of a shopping fan and love splashing out when Im travelling abroad.

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